Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (UAS Module Supervisor)

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Bismarck (ND); On-site; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service in the Northern Region seeks an assistant to the Forest Aviation Officer to guide aviation management and aerial projects. You will coordinate with regional specialists, develop safety plans, and support policy documents; travel to remote locations may be required, and a probationary period applies.

The position emphasizes leadership, coordination across units, and guidance for complex aviation operations within forest service units.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Selective Service registration for males born after 12-31-1959.
• Background check and fingerprinting required.
• E-Verify employment verification required.
• Must pass the Work Capacity Test where applicable.
• Probationary period for new USDA supervisors.

Responsibilities

• Provides information and technical direction for all planned and continuing Forest aviation operations.
• Maintains liaison with Regional Fire UAS Specialists to exchange information on operations.
• Develops Project Aviation Safety Plans (PASP/MASP) to support UAS projects and missions.
• Coordinates with aviation managers and dispatch centers on operations and guidance.
• Develops sensors and data processing methods for UAS activity.
• Contributes to Aviation Operations and Safety Plans and regional/National plans.
• Assists with supplements to FSM 5700 and Regional Plans.

Skills

Leadership

Coordination

Aviation operations

Job description

Summary

The position is located on a USDA Forest Service Unit within the Northern Region, Region 1. Serves as an assistant to the Forest Aviation Officer in directing the complex aviation management program of the Fire & Aviation Operations on Forest Service unit(s). Incumbent provides leadership, coordination, and direction to aerial projects and fire management activities. For additional information regarding this position, contact Tiffany Counts at [e-mail].

Major Duties

Provides information and technical direction for all planned and continuing Forest aviation operations. Maintains close liaison with the Regional Fire UAS Specialist and the Regional Resource Management UAS Specialist. Develops Project Aviation Safety Plans (PASP/MASP) to support National, Regional, and local UAS projects and missions according to agency policy. Maintains close liaison with other aviation managers, Forest Fire Management Officer(s), Deputy Forest FMO(s), Interagency Dispatch Center Manager(s), and Dispatch Coordinators to exchange information on current aviation operations. Develops and evaluates sensors and data collection and processing of equipment and techniques for UAS activity. Provides input to the regional and forest Aviation Operations and Safety Plan. Assists with the preparation of the Forest level supplements to FSM 5700, the Regional Aviation Management Plan, and the Regional Aviation Mishap Prevention Plan. Coordinates with the Forest Aviation Officer and regional aviation management on Forest aviation operations, technical guidance, special projects for aviation support personnel, and other aviation related aspects.

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify. Must be 18 years of age. This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice. Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions. Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period. Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable). Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver’s license; a commercial driver’s license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Evaluations

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran’s preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position. Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Other Information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay periods full-time employment). Government housing and federal day care facilities may be available. The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email [e-mail] Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.